Phil Mickelson: PGA Tour Players Have ‘Hostilities Towards Me’ Before 2024 Ryder Cup

Doric SamJanuary 11, 2024

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

After establishing himself as one of the faces of LIV Golf, Phil Mickelson said he doesn’t see himself becoming U.S. Ryder Cup captain in 2025.

“I don’t feel I’m the right guy to be involved with the team because I’m a very divisive character right now, if you will, and I understand that,” Mickelson said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, per ESPN. “The players on the PGA Tour, there’s a lot of hostilities towards me and I don’t feel I’d be the best leader for them.”

Mickelson, who has played on every Ryder Cup team from 1998 through 2018, was a vice captain on the 2021 team as well. With the 2025 Ryder Cup heading to Bethpage Black, Mickelson was thought to be a prime candidate to be captain because of his previous success at the course as a two-time runner-up at the U.S. Open.

However, Mickelson began to be viewed differently when he defected from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf in June 2022. He was briefly suspended by the PGA Tour for promoting the breakaway league. He said he’s not surprised by how his defection has affected his standing in the world of golf.

“I knew I was going to take some hits going forward,” Mickelson said. “I’m OK with that. And as a divisive individual, I don’t think I’m the best unifier going forward for the Ryder Cup and that’s that’s fine because I’ve had so many great memories with it.”

ESPN noted that while the PGA of America has yet to announce the next U.S. captain, Tiger Woods is considered to be among the frontrunners for the position. However, he hasn’t indicated that he has an interest in participating in the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Europe has already announced that Luke Donald will return as captain in 2025 after leading the team to victory in September at Marco Simone in Italy.